Oregon Budget Proposal Shifting Education Priorities

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Legislature's chief budget writers are expected to release their proposed two-year spending plan today. The proposal will be a blueprint that will drive budget discussions in the coming months. The budget is likely to include at least $6.75 billion for schools. That's $1 billion more than the current two-year budget, enough to reverse some budget cuts that have plagued schools with fewer teachers, larger classes and shortened school years. But sending that much more money to the classroom would mean spending less on the teacher's retirement. It's not clear how much less money would be spent on pensions.